Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Penance, also known as Reconciliation or Confession, may be
one of the most misunderstood things about the Catholic Church. Only God’s
grace can heal a soul wounded by sin which is why Jesus gave us spiritual
healing in the form of the Sacrament of Penance (John
20:22-23).

Confession allows us to know ourselves better and brings us
peace. Absolution also carries a strengthening grace which helps us resist sin
in the future and live more saintly lives.

Those confessionals
scattered about the world where men declare their sins don’t speak of the
severity of God. Rather do they speak of his mercy. And all those who approach
the confessional, sometimes after many years weighed down with mortal sins, in
the moment of getting rid of this intolerable burden, find at last a longed-
for relief. they find joy and tranquility of conscience which, outside
Confession, they will never be able to find anywhere.- John Paul II,
quoted in In Conversation with God: Advent and Christmastide